Bluest Eye Flashcards
“The damaging internalisation of assumption of immutable inferiority originating in an outside gaze”
Morrison’s aims
- A letter to parents of black children to warn them against the dangers to their child within a racist society. The endurance of hardship can lead to them ‘losing it’
- To explain the evil that a person can be capable of, without themselves being truly evil
Why are the breedloves ugly?
They believe that they are ugly (except for Cholly, who is ugly in his behaviour.) White society has imposed their ugliness on them – the family have internalised this ugliness and accepted it, they believe they are ugly
Why is Cholly the way he is ?
Cholly feels emasculated by hunters as they laugh at him. Cholly could not run away or flee, he has to obey these two white men (he has been taught they are ‘superior’) whilst they expose him. Cholly hated the girl (and women in general) for this, rather than the men who did it to him.
What is the significance of music / singing?
Singing is what allows black women to let go of their stress - Claudia & Frieda’s mum, 3 prostitutes
Historical tradition of blues music, to channel heartbreak/hope/despair endurance of hardship
What characteristics of black culture are exemplified in the novel (through the 3 prositutes)?
Use of AAVE
Signifying - boasting
Why is novel juxtaposed against seasons?
Contrast of what is natural (i.e nature) with the unnatural elements of novel. Not only just Cholly’s rape of his daughter, but also the imposition of white beauty standards on black community.
We see this further in the fact that the baby dies in summer, which is time when typically plants and flowers bloom.
What is the significance of Maureen’s character?
The perfect example of asimilation , what black folks are told will happen for them if they assimilate - she is high yellow, described as a ‘dream child’ nothing bd happens to her (also rich and well loved).
Takes on white saviour role in protexcting Pecola (but only willing to do it according to her own rules.)
How are colourism/interracial issues treated in the novel?
Pecola is v. dark skinned and therefore a target for bullying by black boys - they hate their own blackness so they channel this into their hatred of her.
Geraldine and her son Junior are lighter skinned - she tries to preserve their approximation to whiteness by drawing clearly defined lines between ‘coloured’ people (more assimilated and ‘socially acceptable’) and N words (less assimilated.)
Why does Junior abuse Pecola?
According to what he has been taught, she is ugly, and ugly = bad, therefore it is acceptable to abuse her.
What is the Mammy stereotype and how do we see this in the novel?
Fat dark skinned woman who is warm and soft and motherly towards the white child she cares for.
Why does Morrison use stereotypes such as the Mammy and the perverted black man (Mr Henry)?
She is trying to point out how black people themselves interiorise these stereotypes.
What is Morrison trying to say about love and beauty standards?
It becomes impossible for black people to love themselves within this society (and therefore by extension, it is impossible for them to love one another.)
Pauline is an example of ‘collective self contempt’ - after watching white movies she categorises everyone according to beauty.
Cholly represents the dangers of freedom - he has nothing to lose
Why is it important that C & F are the only ones who want Pecola’s baby to live?
Invisibility of black girls.
Naievety of children, they still have hope, are still resistant to society which teaches them to hate themselves
